Re: Pony prices and training

[Chris Paus <paus@micoks.net>]

Sometimes circling can get the horse more worked up. If  it doesn't seem to be working, try "TIME OUT". When Star would misbehave, with him it was always by gates. He wanted to spin an rush through them. I would make him stop and stand. He got so he could tell as soon as I picked up the reins, he would put himself in time out and plant his feet! He'd stick his nose in the air and pout like a naughty little boy. My friend leslie almost fell off her horse from laughing at Star one day when he did this.

Time out gives the horse time to calm down and you time to breath, shrug your shoulders and relax. It also serves a similar purpose to circles, in that the horse knows he won't get to go forward or anywhere until he settles down.  If he won't stand still, do the circles, until he learns that STAND means to plant your feet and don't move until I say so.

chris paus & star

At 06:36 PM 1/10/98 -0700, Craig W. Hadley wrote: 
>>>>
> I thought I was the only one that had rides around the neighborhood like yours.  We live out by several dairy farms and my guy thinks that every cow he sees is going to run up and kill him.  We also have a lot of fun on our rides but haven't had a RELAXING ride yet. I am just hoping that with patience and time(and lots of circling) that eventuallly we will be able to focus his energy in a positive way.
> Carrie & Buddy
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